These Hilton Cards Will Be Discontinued – What It Means for You

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Update:   One or more card offers in this post are no longer available.  Check our Hot Deals for the latest offers.  Hilton credit cards are currently issued both by Citi and American Express.

But via One Mile at a Time and View From the Wing, American Express has negotiated a contract with Hilton to be their only credit card issuer, starting on January 1, 2018.

 

I’ll share what we know so far and what this change means for you!

Citi Hilton Cards Discontinued

Link:   AMEX Hilton Press Release

Hilton is dropping Citi as a credit card issuer, and partnering exclusively with American Express!

I always say options are a good thing, so I’m NOT thrilled to see Hilton eliminate a partner.  Though I don’t know all the implications of this new contract at the moment.

The good news is, Hilton says cardmembers will NOT be immediately affected.  So we’ll have to wait and see what AMEX has planned!

What Does This New Deal Mean?

We don’t have many details yet, such as what will happen to the current Citi card offers.  They may be converted into AMEX cards, or they may disappear altogether!

But one thing is for certain – by the end of 2017 (and possibly sooner), the Citi® Hilton HHonors™ Reserve Card and Citi® Hilton HHonors™Visa Signature® Card will no longer be available to new applicants!

According to View From the Wing, Citi will give folks more information (such as replacement card delivery dates) before the end of the year.  And cardmembers will continue to earn points until 2018.

If you don’t already have these cards, or if you haven’t signed-up for a Citi Hilton card in the past 24 months, you should consider applying sooner than later!  Because credit card links have been pulled without notice in the past!

That said, there were higher sign-up bonuses for these cards last summer.  It’s not clear if Citi will repeat those offers before the cards are discontinued.

I would especially consider the Citi Hilton Reserve card, which comes with 2 weekend night certificates at nearly any Hilton hotel after spending $2,500 in purchases within 4 months of account opening.  It also comes with free Hilton Gold elite status (free internet & breakfast).

The $95 annual fee is NOT waived the first year.  You can read my full card review here.

Even if American Express does bring the 2 Citi cards over as they are, you should still apply for the cards while they’re issued by Citi.  Because once they turn into AMEX cards, you’ll be eligible to sign-up for the cards again and receive the welcome bonus!

If you already have these cards, I would NOT cancel them until we find out what will happen to current cardholders.  Even if Citi switches cardholders to a different Citi card, there might incentives to keep it!

Bottom Line

Soon, the Citi Hilton Reserve or the Citi Hilton Visa Signature cards will be discontinued!  That’s because on January 1, 2018, American Express will be the exclusive Hilton credit card issuer.

If you’re interested in these cards, you should apply soon!  Because even though American Express doesn’t officially absorb Hilton until 2018, the Citi application links could be pulled at any time.

What are your thoughts on this exclusive relationship between Hilton and AMEX?